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☆ Why has Ukraine stepped up its strikes on occupied Crimea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ukraine has ramped up missile and drone strikes on occupied Crimea in recent weeks, as it attempts to land both strategic and symbolic blows against Russian forces that annexed the peninsula in 2014. The next night, Russian air defenses shot down 11 Ukrainian drones over Crimea, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The shift in focus to Crimea occurred after Russia allowed the Black Sea Grain Initiative to lapse in July. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has since resumed its blockade of Ukraine’s ports, preventing vital grain exports and threatening global food security. Symbolic valueYet the strikes on Crimea also have huge symbolic value and are intended to damage Russian President Vladimir Putin’s prestige.

Persons: Russia –, Russia’s, Vladimir Putin’s, “, Putin, Marilyn Monroe, Vasyl Maliuk, ”, Stringer, Rybar Organizations: CNN, Russian, Kyiv, Russian Ministry of Defense, Fleet, Kremlin, Russia, Security Service, Reuters, Ukraine’s Air Force Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Russian, Sevastopol, Ukrainian, Kerch, Russia, Odesa, ” Russia, Europe, Novorossiysk, United Kingdom, France

CNN —One of Ukraine’s most powerful oligarchs has been arrested in a fraud investigation, state media in the country are reporting. A Kyiv court on Saturday ordered Ihor Kolomoisky, a key supporter of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s 2019 presidential campaign, to 60 days in pre-trial detention while authorities investigate fraud charges against him, reported Ukrinform. Kolomoisky’s media and banking businesses have made him one of the richest men in Ukraine. Video and photos showed Kolomoisky being led away from the district court in Kyiv. Earlier this year Zelensky fired a slew of senior Ukrainian officials over a corruption scandal linked to the procurement of war-time supplies.

Persons: Ihor Kolomoisky, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Kolomoisky, Ukrinform, –, ”, Vasyl Maliuk, Zelensky, Arsen Avakov, Avakov Organizations: CNN, US State Department, State Department, Security Service of Ukraine, of Economic Security, General’s, Kolomoisky, “ Locations: Ukraine, Shevchenkivskyi, Kyiv, Europe, Russia

☆ Video shows Ukraine blowing up its new 'cardboard' drones in a test attack on a dummy target
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian media has shared footage purporting to demonstrate the use of a "cardboard" drone. Ukraine says it used the lightweight, cheap drones to do serious damage to five Russian planes. The footage here shows the potential damage from a mid-air explosion. The advantage of the Corvo PPDS drone — which have been variously described by their manufacturer SYPAQ as being made of cardboard and of light foamboard — is in its cheapness, light weight, and disposability. A constructed SYPAQ Corvo PPDS drone, sitting atop a stack of flat-packed ones.

Persons: Operativno ZSU, —, Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko, hasn't Organizations: Service, Ukraine's Security Service, Kyiv Post Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Australia, Kursk, Russia, Ukrainian, Russian, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine is fielding new $3,500 'cardboard' drones against Russia — they're flat-packed and could prove deadly
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has received hundreds of so-called "cardboard drones" from Australia. The Corvo PPDS is cheap, comes flat-packed, and can be built in an hour, its maker says. SYPAQ's Corvo PPDS drone. Although it's known as the "cardboard drone," there's conflicting information as to what its main framework is actually made of. Per the pro-Russian Telegram channel @fighter_bomber, Ukraine used a swarm-like formation of several unarmed Corvo PPDSs amidst drones packed with bombs, helping the swarm evade radar.

Persons: It's, SYPAQ, Michael Partridge, Australia's, Partridge, it's, coyly, Jamey Jacob, Jacob, Corvo, Mick Ryan, Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko Organizations: Service, IKEA, Oklahoma State University, Popular Mechanics, Russian Telegram, News Australia Locations: Ukraine, Australia, Wall, Silicon, Russian, Australian

☆ Russian tourism in Crimea is down, but many still shrug off risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Summary This content was produced in Russian-annexed Crimea, where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine. They said it was all calm here with no problems on the Crimea Bridge. Fewer visitors to Crimea have meant more for Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea and Dagestan in Russia's north Caucasus region, he said. FATAL CROSSINGFor one Russian couple, the choice of Crimea as a holiday destination proved fatal. "The goal of our trip is, of course, to have a rest, and support Russian tour operators, hoteliers, and Russian tourism, no doubt."

Persons: Siberian Viktor Motorin, Olga Morskova, Alexei Volkov, Volkov, Vasyl Maliuk, Alexander Semashko, Sergei Lenkov, Mark Trevelyan, Alexander Marrow, Gareth Jones, Sharon Singleton Organizations: National Union of Hospitality Industries, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Crimea, Ukraine, YALTA, Siberian, Moscow, Russia, Khanty, Siberia, Turkey, Thailand, Rybinsk, Sochi, Novorossiysk, Kaliningrad, Dagestan, Russia's, Caucasus, Stavropol, Vologda

☆ Ukraine claims it damaged prized Russian jets using 'cardboard' drones from Australia in a daring raid
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine claims it used cardboard drones from Australia to strike five jets at a Russian air field. In March, Australia announced delivery of the lightweight drones in an aid package to Ukraine. According to prominent pro-Russian blogger @fighterbomber, which closely follows the Russian air force, the attack was the first use of Australian-provided delivery drones made of cardboard. AdvertisementAdvertisementInsider could not independently confirm the claim, but on Tuesday Ukraine's ambassador to Australia Vasyl Mryoshnychenko vouched for it, saying in a post on X: "Cardboard drones from Australia used in attack on Russian airfield." The Corvo drones are described by SYPAQ as "the cardboard plane," but per an earlier company press release they're made from waxed foamboard.

Persons: Australia Vasyl Mryoshnychenko vouched, SYPAQ, they're, SYPAQ's, Mick Ryan, Roman Starovoyt Organizations: Service, Ukraine's Security, Russian, MoD, RBC, Sydney Morning Herald Locations: Ukraine, Australia, Russian, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Kyiv, Kursk, Australian, Bryansk, Ukrainian

☆ New video shows Russia fail to stop a Ukrainian drone boat named 'Sea Baby' from blowing apart a key bridge with nearly 2,000 lbs of explosives
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Ukrainian sea drone attacked a key bridge in Crimea last month, damaging the structure. Kyiv has made increasing use of sea drones in the Black Sea, striking different Russian targets. On Wednesday, Ukraine's SBU published several photos and videos of the "Sea Baby" drone used in the Kerch Bridge attack on its Telegram channel. Earlier this month, Ukrainian drone boats hit the Russian warship Olenegorsky Gornyak at the port of Novorossiysk, badly damaging the vessel. And like the Kerch Bridge strike, the drone that struck the landing ship did so without meeting any obvious resistance.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Ukraine's SBU, Vasyl Maliuk, Olenegorsky Organizations: CNN, Service, The Security Service, Kyiv, Security Service, Russia Locations: Crimea, Kyiv, Wall, Silicon, Crimean, Russia, Ukraine, Kerch, Moscow, Russian, Ukrainian, Novorossiysk, Syria

☆ Crimean Bridge attack: The moment Ukraine used an experimental drone to strike Russia's Kerch Bridge
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh Victoria Butenko Florence Davey-Attlee | Nick Paton Walsh | Victoria Butenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Dnipro, Ukraine CNN —Ukrainian security services have released to CNN exclusive footage showing the moment in July when they used an experimental sea drone to attack Russia’s bridge to annexed Crimea, providing new details on the attack and warning more such assaults will follow. The attack on July 17 caused damage to the road lanes of the bridge, and, according to Russian officials, killed two civilians. A view of the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, the only direct link between Russia and the Crimean peninsula. Maliuk also claimed responsibility for the first Ukrainian attack on the bridge, on October 8, but declined to provide details. He said the July drone attack was the product of months of preparation.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, It’s, Vasyl Maliuk, ”, Olengorskiy, Maliuk, Oleksiy Neizhpapa, “, ” Maliuk Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, Security Service, SIG, Ukraine Security Service, coy, Naval, Reuters “, Ukrainian Locations: Dnipro, Ukraine, Crimea, Russia, Kerch, Crimean, Novorossisk, Ukraine Security Service Ukraine, Moscow, Ukrainian

Two Ukrainian missiles were shot down on Saturday afternoon, the Russia-appointed Head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov wrote in a post on Telegram, adding that the bridge was undamaged. “Another enemy missile was shot down over the Kerch Strait. Meanwhile, traffic has resumed on the Crimean bridge, according to the Crimean bridge operative information Telegram account, after it was temporarily blocked. The Kremlin was quick to blame Kyiv for that explosion, and Putin alleged that it was an act of “sabotage” by Ukrainian security services. The bridge was also hit by two strikes in July in an attack a Ukrainian security official told CNN Kyiv was responsible for.

Persons: Vladimir Putin’s, Crimea Sergey Aksyonov, Aksyonov, Oleg Kryuchkov, ” “, Maria Zakharova, ” Zakharova, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Vasyl Maliuk, ” Maliuk, ” Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian, Kyiv, CNN Kyiv, Ukrainian Security Service Locations: Crimea, Russia, Kerch, Ukraine, Russian, Moscow, Ukrainian

CNN —Explosions hit critical road bridges linking occupied Crimea with parts of Kherson region under Russian control, Russian authorities say, as Ukraine escalates its targeting of Russian infrastructure and territory. The Russian-appointed acting head of Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, says the missiles that hit two bridges in Crimea Sunday were all Storm Shadows, an air-launched long-range missile supplied to Ukraine by the UK. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said a Russian guided aerial bomb struck a blood transfusion center in the Kharkiv region Saturday. MapboxA new wave of Russian missiles also struck sites across Ukraine overnight, most of which were shot down. Any explosions that happen to Russian ships or the Crimean bridge are “an absolutely logical and effective step.

Persons: Vladimir Saldo, Saldo, can’t, It’s, …, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Vasyl Maliuk, Maliuk Organizations: CNN, Crimea Sunday, CNN Ukraine, Saturday, Ukrainian Security Service Locations: Crimea, Kherson, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Kherson region, Henichesk, Kharkiv, Russia, Ukrainian

The Russian-flagged ship, the Sig, was hit by a drone carrying 450 kilograms (992 pounds) of TNT shortly before midnight, according to a Ukraine Security Service source. Ukrainian officials, however, said some crew were injured and that the tanker was carrying fuel for the Russian military. The strike on the Sig came just hours after Ukrainian sea drones targeted a major naval base in Novorossiysk, a coastal city on the Black Sea that is home to Russia’s largest port by volume of cargo handled. Ukraine has stepped up its attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles in recent weeks, hitting targets well within Russian territory, including in Moscow. The new generation of powerful sea drones, however, could open up a new front for Kyiv in the 18-month conflict.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Vasyl Maliuk, ” Maliuk Organizations: Ukraine CNN, TNT, Ukraine Security Service, Federal Agency for Marine, Transport, CNN, Sig, Kyiv, Russia’s Defense Ministry Ukrainian, Ukrainian Security Service, Service, Security Service Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Novorossiysk, Russian, Moscow, Kerch, Russia, Crimea, Feodosia, ”, reticence

A Ukrainian naval drone hit a Russian oil tanker early Saturday off the occupied Crimean Peninsula, the second Ukrainian sea drone attack to strike Russian ships in the Black Sea in two days, Ukrainian and Russian officials said. The engine room of the tanker was damaged, but the ship remained afloat, there was no oil spillage and no crew members were injured, Russia’s Federal Agency for Sea and Inland Water Transport said on its Telegram channel. Vasyl Malyuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine, said Ukraine was responsible for the attack and that Kyiv’s forces would continue to attack any ship assisting in the Russian war effort. The tanker was near the Kerch Strait Bridge, a vital connection for Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Mr. Malyuk said Ukraine would continue attacking the bridge until Russian forces completely withdraw from Ukrainian lands.

Persons: Vasyl Malyuk, Malyuk Organizations: Russia’s Federal Agency for, Inland Water Transport, Security Service Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Crimean, Russia’s Federal Agency for Sea, Ukraine, Kerch, Russia

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy decries 'revolting' practices at recruitment centres
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy awards a Ukrainian service member during a ceremony marking the Day of Ukrainian Statehood, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine July 28, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File PhotoAug 3 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday decried "revolting" practices exposed during an audit of Ukraine's military recruitment centres and pledged to fix the system by placing in charge people who understood the meaning of war. "The conclusion is clear: the recruitment system needs people who understand the value of protecting Ukraine," he said. "Recruitment centres must be staffed with people who have seen the war, experienced it," he added. The head of a military recruitment centre in Odesa accused of corruption and embezzlement was ordered held in pre-trial detention last month.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Ihor Klymenko, Vasyl Maliuk, Ron Popeski, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Ukrainian, Presidential Press Service, REUTERS, NATO, European Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Black, Odesa, Spain

☆ Russia warns ships in Black Sea, Ukraine to create temporary grains export route
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine said on Wednesday it was establishing a temporary shipping route via Romania, one of the neighbouring Black Sea countries. Russia's Defence Ministry said flag states of ships travelling to Ukrainian ports would be considered parties to the conflict on the Ukrainian side from midnight Moscow time (2100 GMT on Wednesday). U.S. officials have information indicating Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports, said White House National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge. "We believe that this is a coordinated effort to justify any attacks against civilian ships in the Black Sea and lay blame on Ukraine for these attacks," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Western countries of "perverting" the U.N.-backed deal formally called the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Persons: West, Vasyl Shkurakov, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Adam Hodge, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Valery Shershen, Grant McCool, Stephen Coates Organizations: Ukrainian Coast Guard, Operational Command, Putin, International Shipping Organization, United, Sunday, Russia's Defence Ministry, White, National Security, Monetary Fund, Russian, Reuters, Pentagon, Ukraine, European Union, Thomson Locations: Izmail, Odesa, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, Romania, United Nations, Turkey, Ukrainian, Russian, Africa, Asia, China, Azov, Crimea, Washington, Brussels, European

☆ Why Odesa Is So Important to Ukraine in the War With Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Marc Santora | More About Marc Santora | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Moscow is no longer intent on cutting off Ukraine’s ports simply by blocking ships from leaving, Ukrainian officials said after the latest aerial assault against Odesa on Wednesday. By targeting the city’s shipping facilities with missiles and drones, Ukrainian officials said, Mr. Putin wants to destroy the infrastructure that allows Ukraine, a major grain exporter, to provide food to the world. The three ports that ring Odesa are Ukraine’s largest and include the only deepwater port in the country. Before the war, about 70 percent of Ukraine’s total imports and exports were carried out by sea, and nearly two-thirds of that trade moved through the ports of Odesa. “And this means that they will attack ports, infrastructure and possibly ships,” he warned, speaking on national television.

Persons: Putin, Vasyl Bodnar Organizations: Odesa, Initiative, United Locations: Kyiv, Odesa, Moscow, Ukraine, United Nations, Turkey, Ukrainian, Russia, Ukraine’s

Velyka Novosilka, Ukraine CNN —Under clear and sunny skies, a Ukrainian soldier speeds down a long, straight road toward forward positions close to the front line. Combat medic "Winnie" says he and his fellow physicians try to provide first aid to advancing Ukrainian forces as soon as possible and reduce the amount of casualties. Vasco Cotovio/CNNUkrainian forces have been working to stabilize some of the liberated villages but when CNN visited Velyka Novosilka, the situation remained very fluid. But I think we will win.”The frontline town of Velyka Novosilka bears the scars of a year and a half of shelling. That superiority was on full display during the CNN team’s visit when the Ukrainian forces came under repeated attack by Russian Su-25 ground attack fighter jets.

Persons: Velyka Novosilka, swerves, ”, Vasco Cotovio, “, Winnie, “ There’s, ” Velyka, Jaeger, Mara, ” Skrypal, Novosilka, Jaeger Brigade’s, Vasyl Matyiev, ” Matyiev, Ukraine's, Russian Su, Velyka, “ I’ve, Tatiana, – Organizations: Ukraine CNN, CNN, CNN Ukrainian, Vasco, intel, 68th Jaeger, Ukrainian, “ Volunteers Locations: Ukraine, Ukrainian, Velyka, Neskuchne, Russia, Western, Moscow, Russian, Bakhmut, Velyka Novosilka

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Kyiv says it has proof Russia blew up Kakhovka dam; counteroffensive gets underway in Ukraine's east
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine's domestic security service said it intercepted a phone call proving a Russian "sabotage group" blew up the Kakhovka hydroelectric station and dam in southern Ukraine. It posted a recording of what it said was an intercepted telephone call on its official Telegram channel. While one of the men appears to claim a Russian sabotage group was responsible for attacking the dam, he offers no evidence in support. That was our sabotage group. By blowing up the Kakhovka HPP dam, the Russian Federation finally proved that it is a threat to the entire civilized world.

Persons: It's, Vasyl Malyuk, Natasha Turak Organizations: CNBC, NBC, Security Service, Ukraine, Russian Federation Locations: Russian, Ukraine

☆ Kyiv says it intercepted call showing Russia blew up Kakhovka dam
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Dan Peleschuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The destruction of the facility on Tuesday unleashed mass flooding, forcing thousands of residents to flee and wreaking environmental havoc. Russia, which has accused Kyiv of destroying the dam, did not immediately comment on its content. That was our sabotage group," said one of the men on the recording, described by the SBU as a Russian soldier. "The interception by the SBU confirms that the Kakhovskaya HPP (Hydroelectric Power Plant) was blown up by a sabotage group of the occupiers," the SBU said in a statement. "The invaders wanted to blackmail Ukraine by blowing up the dam and staged a man-made disaster in the south of our country."

Persons: Ukraine's, SBU, Vasyl Malyuk, Vladimir, Putin's, Dan Peleschuk, Timothy Heritage, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Security Service of Ukraine, Reuters, Russian Federation, Thomson Locations: Russia Moscow, Ukraine, KYIV, Russian, Russia, Kherson

Registering for aid and receiving instructions after arriving in Mykolaiv from Kherson, Ukraine, on Tuesday following damage to the Kakhovka dam. Evacuees, who fled after the Kakhovka dam was destroyed, exiting a train in Mykolaiv on Tuesday. In Mykolaiv, the southern port city, an emergency train pulled out of the station to collect people fleeing the rising waters in Kherson, about 40 miles to the east. The city of Kherson straddles the Dnipro River, which has become a front line in the war, dividing the warring armies. It mostly sits on elevated land but there are some neighborhoods close to the river bank where flooding has already been reported.

Persons: ”, don’t, “, Brendan Hoffman, The New York Times Alim, Chupyna, Olha Napkhanenko, Serhiy Prytula, ” Svitlana, Sitnik Organizations: Volunteers, Red Cross, ., The New York Times, Foundation, Telegram, “ Local Locations: Mykolaiv, Kherson, Ukraine, Dnipro, Vasyl, Ostriv, ”, Ukrainian, Russian, Oleshky, Crimea

☆ Ukraine has a network of sabotage agents in Russia and is sending them drone for attacks, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

US officials believe Ukraine is fostering a network of anti-Putin rebels in Russia, CNN reported. They also believe that such groups were behind the drone explosion over the Kremlin in May. Ukraine has not claimed any connection to such groups, but is reaping the military benefits. Several unnamed US officials believe the May 3 drone incident above the Kremlin was among several attacks carried out by such agents, the outlet reported. But, CNN reported, some US officials believe that pro-Ukraine partisans could have launched the drone from within Russia, bypassing such defenses.

Persons: —, Vasyl Malyuk, Cotton, Malyuk, Russia's, Kyrylo, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Putin, CNN, Kremlin, Service, Liberty of Russia Legion, UK's Ministry of Defense, coy, for Locations: Ukraine, Russia, May, Belgorod, Putin Russian, Russia's, Ukrainian, Zelenskyy, Moscow

☆ Exclusive: Ukraine has cultivated sabotage agents inside Russia and is giving them drones to stage attacks, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Zachary Cohen Kylie Atwood | Natasha Bertrand | Zachary Cohen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

US officials believe these pro-Ukrainian agents inside Russia carried out a drone attack that targeted the Kremlin in early May by launching drones from within Russia rather than flying them from Ukraine into Moscow. But US officials believe that Ukraine has developed sabotage cells inside Russia made up of a mix of pro-Ukrainian sympathizers and operatives well-trained in this kind of warfare. Asked for comment, a spokesperson for the head of the Ukrainian Security Service suggested to CNN that the mysterious explosions and drone strikes inside Russia would continue. ‘A culmination of months of effort’There has been a steady drumbeat of mysterious fires and explosions inside Russia over the last year, targeting oil and fuel depots, railways, military enlistment offices, warehouses and pipelines. A savvy military strategyPublicly, senior US officials have condemned the strikes inside Russia, warning of the potential for an escalation of the war.

Persons: Russia –, ‘ Cash, they’ve, “, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Vasyl Malyuk, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Kyrylo Budanov, Budanov, Zelensky, ” Budanov, Nicolas Vaujour, ” Vaujour, Vladimir Putin Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, Kremlin, Ukrainian, Reuters, Ostorozhno Novosti, Ukrainian Security Service, Security Service, Getty, Pentagon, CIA, Washington Post, Yahoo, Joint Staff, UK Ministry of Defense Locations: Washington CNN — Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Ostorozhno, AFP, Russia’s Rostov, Rostov Oblast, Moscow’s, ”, Belgorod, Russia’s

☆ A Village Cemetery Bears Witness to Russia’s Centuries-Long Efforts to Subjugate Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( James Marson | Photographs Joseph Sywenkyj For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

STARIY SAMBIR, Ukraine—Russia’s attempts to stamp its control on this nation have killed millions of Ukrainians over centuries. Dozens of them are buried in a cemetery clinging to a hillside in this western village. Here, under a monument, lie the remains of some 80 partisans who died in battles with Soviet security forces. In the shade of a red-berry bush lies Bohdan Solchanyk, a university lecturer killed by police during protests in Kyiv against a Russian-backed president in 2014. Near the gate stands a more recent grave, that of Vasyl Pelysh, who suffered a fatal wound in September while driving supplies to the front lines in the east.

☆ Russia accused of beheading Ukrainian soldier: 'How easily these beasts kill,' Zelenskyy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

One video circulating online appears to show Russians beheading a Ukrainian serviceman with a knife. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was "the execution of a Ukrainian captive." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday responded to one of the videos, saying that it showed "the execution of a Ukrainian captive." "There is something that no one in the world can ignore: how easily these beasts kill," Zelenskyy said, adding that Russia is trying to make "destroying life" into the "new norm." Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's foreign minister, described it as a "horrific video of Russian troops decapitating a Ukrainian prisoner of war."

☆ To stay or go? The dilemma Ukrainians near front face every day
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Mike Collett-White | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

KALYNIVKA, Ukraine, March 21 (Reuters) - It was finally time for Vasyl Kurlyshchuk to leave. She was going to stay in the settlement and wanted to know if Kurlyshchuk was taking his solar powered battery with him. What is now ordinary for the hundreds who remain in Chasiv Yar out of a pre-war population of some 13,000 would be extraordinary elsewhere. "Vera was evacuated to Poltava but a lot of people have stayed," said the 67-year-old, pointing to pictures on her smartphone of her friend, who had left Chasiv Yar for a safer place. That meant three fewer familiar faces for Olena and her friends as they carried on in Chasiv Yar.

☆ 'My call sign is 'Grandad.'' The retirees who are frontline fighters for Ukraine against the Russian invaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Some volunteer fighters in Ukraine are considerably older than the average age of a typical soldier. 63-year-old Leonid Onyschenko, for example, is fighting for Ukraine near the city of Bakhmut. While the classic image of a soldier in battle evokes a fit young person with a chiseled jawline, the diverse volunteer fighters in Ukraine defy this expectation. The Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) — a volunteer military reserve — said that Onyshchenko had been serving the country for nine years since Russia's invasion and illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Many of the older volunteers the news outlet spoke to appeared eager to stay in eastern Ukraine at the time.

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